I hate surprises in real life, but in fiction, nothing beats a good plot twist. As both a reader and a writer, I love to get swept up in a story, especially when I’m not certain where it will take me or what will happen next. It’s like being on a thrilling ride! Each of the books on this list kept me guessing, caught me off guard, and made me shout “aha!”
If you’ve read Kingdom of Secrets, you know I love a story with rich political intrigue, in which the characters are so complex and nuanced that it’s impossible to pin them down as simply “good” or “bad.” In The False Prince, Nielsen keeps us in suspense until the very end as to the motives and intentions of her characters, which results in several big, shocking reveals.
If you love the danger and sword-fighting of MERLIN, you'll like this! In a discontent kingdom, civil war is brewing. To unify the divided people, Conner, a nobleman of the court, devises a cunning plan to find an impersonator of the king's long-lost son and install him as a puppet prince. Four orphans are recruited to compete for the role, including a defiant boy named Sage. Sage knows that Conner's motives are more than questionable, yet his life balances on a sword's point - he must be chosen to play the prince or he will certainly be killed. As Sage's…
The premise of this book is the first thing that drew me in – the city of Ember is shrouded in darkness, and the lamps that provide the only light have begun to dim. Two kids discover an ancient message that may help them save the city while also revealing its mysterious origins. I found myself racing to the end of this book to discover the secrets of Ember, and, like a lightbulb flickering to life in a dark room, the payoff was incredibly satisfying.
Ember is the only light in a dark world. But when its lamps begin to flicker, two friends must race to escape the dark. This highly acclaimed adventure series is a modern-day classic-with over 4 MILLION copies sold!
The city of Ember was built as a last refuge for the human race. Two hundred years later, the great lamps that light the city are beginning to dim. When Lina finds part of an ancient message, she's sure it holds a secret that will save the city. Now, she and her friend Doon must race to figure out the clues to…
I was intrigued by this book from the first page when Boy wakes up all alone on an island with no memory of who he is or how he got there. From there, Boy must piece together his identity while figuring out how to escape from the island and get back home – wherever that may be. The tone of the story is unsettling and mysterious, leading to a conclusion that is surprising, heartbreaking, and rewarding.
The Graveyard Book meets Hatchet in this eerie novel about a boy who is stranded on a mysterious beach, from debut author Samantha M. Clark.
A boy washes up on a mysterious, seemingly uninhabited beach. Who is he? How did he get there? The boy can't remember. When he sees a light shining over the foreboding wall of trees that surrounds the shore, he decides to follow it, in the hopes that it will lead him to answers. The boy's journey is a struggle for survival and a search…
One of my all-time favorites, this book deftly combines a compelling mystery with a delicate examination of friendship and family. Sixth-grade Miranda starts receiving anonymous notes describing events that haven’t happened yet, including an untimely death. When the messages begin to come true, Miranda realizes it’s up to her to prevent a tragedy. A beautifully told tale with an ending will leave readers awestruck.
Miranda's life is starting to unravel. Her best friend, Sal, gets punched by a kid on the street for what seems like no reason, and he shuts Miranda out of his life. The key that Miranda's mum keeps hidden for emergencies is stolen. And then a mysterious note arrives: 'I am coming to save your friend's life, and my own. I ask two favours. First, you must write me a letter.'
The notes keep coming, and Miranda slowly realises that whoever is leaving them knows things no one should know. Each message brings her closer to believing that only she…
I was initially drawn to the steampunk elements of this story but was quickly pulled into Lily’s plight. Lily’s father invented a priceless machine before he suddenly went missing. Now she must find him before she’s nabbed by the shadowy figures who think she knows where his invention is hidden. Action and adventure abound, but it’s the mystery at the heart of this story that kept me ravenously flipping pages.
The first in the bestselling Cogheart Adventures series, where mayhem, murder and mystery meet in a gripping Victorian world of fantastical imagination.
Some secrets change the world in a heartbeat.
Lily's life is in mortal peril. Her father is missing and now silver-eyed men stalk her through the shadows. What could they want from her?
With her friends - Robert, the clockmaker's son, and Malkin, her mechanical fox - Lily is plunged into a murky and menacing world. Too soon Lily realizes that those she holds dear may be the very ones to break her heart...
12-year-old Prismena longs to build and fly hot-air balloons, but her father insists she keep her feet on the ground. When she inadvertently causes his arrest, she’ll have to disobey him in order to save him, an act of rebellion that will launch her on an epic adventure and will challenge everything she knows about her identity, her kingdom, and even her beloved hot-air balloons.
I grew up reading Stephen King and Michael Crichton. That combination of horror and techno-thriller greatly impacted my writing style and genre. I love a page-turner and chapters that end with a cliffhanger. I love that creepy feeling of dread that washes over you when engrossed in a scary scene. I love when you put a book down for the night, turn off the light, and then wince when you hear a strange noise in the other room. I love a story that's so believable that you can't help but wonder, "Could this happen...maybe even to me?" If you do, too, you may enjoy my books.
The Stormy Night is the first in a series of nine children's books for ages 8-12. The stories follow two dogs–a senior, disabled dog and a newly adopted puppy–as they learn to become friends and family.
The Adventures of Lucky and Mr. Pickle series are chapter books, not picture books. Parents can read to younger children until they can read for themselves. Each book tackles subjects that may ring true for blended and or adopted families. Also, kids who love dogs will love these stories as they are filled with hope, adventure, and excitement. Most importantly, each book has a…
The Adventures of Lucky and Mr. Pickle: The Stormy Night
Adoptions can be scary and confusing. For everyone.
Lucky, a senior dog with a disability, has his world turned upside down when a newly adopted puppy named Mr. Pickle is brought home. The highly energetic pup is scared and confused by his new surroundings and desperately wants to return to his original family. Things only get worse when Papa leaves them home alone, and a big storm shakes the house, sending both dogs searching for safety.
Fun and frenzy await them as they learn to work together. They are different in breed, age, size, shape, and color, but will that…
